Tribunal official appeals for support from African nations

The registrar of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Adama Dieng, has appealed to African human rights ministers to support the court's efforts to pursue those responsible for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, the tribunal reported.

Dieng made the plea during an address to the second ministeral conference on human rights in Africa held in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, from 6 to 8 May.

"In light of the vital importance of the ICTR's mission ... I appeal in the strongest terms to Africa to be more mindful of the existence and work of the tribunal," Dieng said, adding that he recognised the efforts of the Rwandan government which devotes at least five percent of its national budget each year to support genocide victims.

Dieng also urged the international community to establish a special fund for victims of the Rwandan genocide and appealed for psychological and financial assistance for victims who are not accommodated by the international legal system.

The tribunal reported that while in Kigali, Dieng sought the help of the international community, in particular that of the Egyptian government, in garnering the political and financial support needed to fulfil the tribunal's mandate.

The conference, which was held under the auspices of the African Union, on Thursday adopted the Kigali Declaration which reiterated a commitment to pursue those responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.